Marty And Pat

Our Vineyard was becoming a small family of believers. One of the pleasant surprises was the coming of two ladies that were the best of friends. Both of these ladies had daughters that attended high school with my oldest son, Aaron. Marty and Pat would come and sit in on our band practices because they wanted to come and worship to the songs we were rehearsing at band practice. They just loved to worship. Neither of these ladies ever attended a non-denominational church of any kind. In fact, they went to the Catholic church in a neighboring town. Marty and Pat gave us much of their time considering that they couldn't convince their husbands to come and visit our little Vineyard while at the same time they both were still attending their Catholic church.

They soon starting singing in the band. Pat would come on Sunday mornings to make coffee and bring doughnuts. Marty had a party at her home for the seniors graduating from my son's high school. She invited me over to do a sing along and pray for them. It was a nice summer evening and a nice gesture on her part for the departing senior class.

I look back at these two ladies as an encouragement and inspiration to our Vineyard. They were able to participate in genuine worship. I can still remember them closing their eyes and raising their hands toward heaven as they sang from their heart words of praise and worship. It was obvious that they had not been able to freely worship before they came to our Vineyard. For them, they were moving into something new and exciting. It was gratifying to see them enjoying worship especially when I knew that we were the first to give them that opportunity.

These gals came to us because of a natural relationship that I had with them because our kids went to school together. I invited them both to our Vineyard while at a high school football game never thinking that they would come. It was such a wonderful experience to see this happening because we were just getting started.

In hindsight, Marty and Pat are a constant reminder on how powerful music and worship can be to the hearts of those drawn to the Lord. True worshippers are not looking to be entertained. They are looking for a music that can bring them into His presence so that they can forget the world and all the problems of this life. There is something mystical about music. Marty and Pat saw it as their pathway to the presence of God. it was a beautiful thing for sure.

Next up,

Art and the Laundry Mat